Couch or bed hammock.



A. J. KREUZKAMP.

COUCH 0R BED HAMMOOK.

APPLICATION FILED 0012s, 1913.

Patented June 16, 1914.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

Fig. 6'.

slffirruz Zara COLUMIIA PLANOOIAH! 90-, VIASHIMYON. D- C.

U N ITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

AUGUST J. Ke aK Mr. Q B QQ N E Y RKA SI ATQB I E QLANDE S G BED COMPANY, or BROOKLYN, new roan, A conronarron or NEW ORK.

COUCH on BED HAMMOGK.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Pat n e J 11119 6.5191

Application filed October 28,, 1913- Serial no, 797,710;

To all who-m it may concern Be it known that 1, Answer J. Knnuz- KAMr, a. citizen. of the United States, residing at Brooklyn, in the county of Kingsand State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Couch or Bed Hammocks, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to hammocks of that character known more particularly as couch or bed hammocks, that is to say to that class of hammocks the bottoms of which are horizontal or flat when the hammock is suspended from its two ends, the object of the invention being to provide a hammock of this kind which can be readily folded when not in use into a small and compact bundle so that it may not only be readily transported, but may be readily folded away into a small space, while at the same time the hammock will be simple, durable, efficient and as comfortable as the ordinary bed hammock.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a folding hammock comprising two half sections, the framework of the half sections being hinged together near their inner ends in an improved manner while the bottom proper, whether this be of metallic fabric or of woven material or cloth, is of one continuous piece from end to end of the hammock, but suspended by suitable resilient means from the framework.

Another object of the invention is the provision, in connection with a folding hammock of the class described, of a folding back which can be readily attached to and detached from the hammock proper and to which back the ends may be either separately attached or formed as a part thereof, as may be desired.

In the drawings accompanying and forming part of this specification, Figure 1 is a front view of this improved hammock, with a part of the valance broken away; Fig. 2 is a view of the back and ends when formed as a part thereof, detached from the bottom of the hammock; Fig. 3 is a view of the bottom of the hammock partly folded and with the back detached; Fig. 4 is a view of the back shown in Fig. 2 partly folded; Fig. 5 is a view of the bottom entirely folded. this view illustrating the back folded and inserted therein; Fig. 6 illustrates an ordinary pastelooard box: in which the hammock s placed either forshipment or for storing away, and: as these hammocks are usually about siX feet long when open and about two feet six; inches wide the box for the reception of the folded hammock is about 3 feet long. and 2 feet 6 inches wide by about 6 inches deep, which obviously is a very small package for a full-sized hammock; and Fig. 7 is a detail perspective view of one of the hinge members connecting the half sections to, the bottom.

Similar characters of reference indicate corresponding parts, in the different figures of the drawings.

This improved hammock comprises the bottom 2 and the back and: ends 3, both of which are foldable members. The bottom comprises a framework f, which may be of angle iron, consisting of side members 5 and end. members 6. Each side memher is made in two parts 7 and 8 hinged in. a peculiar manner adjacent to their inner ends, thus forming two half hammock sections 9 and 10. These two half sections are pivotally connected at each side, as at 11, adjacent to their inner ends between two rigid plates 12 and 13, and the plates 13 are rigidly connected by a drop-formed bar 1-1. These plates 12 and 13 not only form the means of connecting the two half-sections together but also a means for roperly spacing the two half-sections of the hammock apart when the same is folded thereby to provide a proper place for the back and the ends 26 when the same are turned in and also for such supporting means or ropes as may be used. Depend ing from between each pair of plates 12 and 13 is a bar 15 having rigidly secured to its lower end a cross member 16, pivotally connected to each end of which and to a side member 7 or 8 is a pair of toggle links 18 and 19, and when the hammock is suspended the weight thereof at the middle will cause these toggle links to be automatically shifted into position to properly hold or look the hammock sections in their horizontal position.

Connected with the angle iron members of the framework is the bottom proper, which may consist of any suitable material, as a metallic fabric or canvas, as may be found desirable. In the present instance, for the purpose of making an extremely fltom, thereby to suspend the bottom.

simple and efiicient hammock and doing away with the use of a stufied mattress, the bottom is shown of canvas, it being connected along its sides and at its ends to the framework by helical springs 20, whereby the bottom is very resilient and is also maintained very taut so that it will be very comfortable to rest or sleep upon. The folding back 3 is likewise shown of canvas, and comprises a folding supporting bar 21, comprising two members 22 and 23 hinged adjacent to their center by a hinge each member of which embraces the end of the bar, and this bar 21 has at each end a transversely extending bar 24 hinged at one end to the bar 21 so as to fold fiatwise thereon, and to these bars 21 and 24 the back is shown connected by forming pockets through which the bars are inserted. The end bars are thus utilized not only to keep the end portions 26 of the back properly stretched, but also for the attachment of suitable ropes 27 or other suspending means to suspend the hammock from a tripod or other form of support. In the present instance the back 3 and ends 26 are shown as one continuous member, but obviously the ends could be made separate from the back by merely cutting the fabric at the point of connection, in which case of course the back could be readily removed or replaced as occasion might require. If the back 3 is formed independent of the ends it is formed with some suitable fastening means at its lower edge for connecting it with the bottom, as for instance button holes. In the present instance the lower edge of the back and ends is provided with reinforcing members in the form of a metal strip 23 having hooks 29 secured thereto at intervals, the hooks of the ends being maintained properly separated by a reinforcing strip 30, and these hooks are for the purpose of hooking the back and ends under the angle iron framework of the bot- It will thus be observed that the back and ends are readily detachable from the bottom so that such bottom can be folded into the position shown in Fig. 5, with the back folded so as to be stowed away between the half sections of the bottom, the back being shown partly folded in Fig. 4-.

From the foregoing it will thus be observed that a folding hammock having a folding back is provided which can be readily folded so as to be stored away in a small space when not in use, and when so folded the hinge connection between the sections is such that the two half-sections are maintained spaced apart and in substantial parallelism with each other thus providing a storage space between the sections for the foldabl-e ends, theback and the supporting ropes or means, as shown for instance in Fig. 5, so that the hammock when folded can be readily stored in a receptacle, such as that shown in Fig. (5, of very narrow dimensions.

This improved hammock has met with very great commercial success, because it is light, simple in construction, easily assembled and very easily folded so that it can be stored away in a very small space as compared with the ordinary bed hammock, which is heavy and takes up considerable room when not'in use, and moreover this improved hammock is inexpensive to manufacture, while it is extremely comfortable to rest or sleep upon.

In practice, the front, or both lengthwise sides of the hammock, may be provided with a suitable balance 35, which, if preferred, may be detachably secured by suitable fastening means along the lengthwise extending members of the framework, thereby to conceal the hinge connections, which are so formed that the collapse of the bot tom under weight is prevented when the bottom is opened in readiness for use.

I claim as my invention:

1. A folding couch or bed hammock comprising a rigid framework consisting of a plurality of sections, a. rigid hinge member intermediate the opposed ends of said sections for connecting them topermit the folding of the sections transversely of the length of the hammock, said hinge member constructed to hold said sections spaced apart when folded for the reception between such folded sections of other parts of the hammock, means carried by said hinge member and connected to both of said foldable sections for holding said sections in their horizontal suspended position, and a bottom supported by said framework.

2. A folding couch or bed hammock comprising a rigid framework consisting of a plurality of sections, a rigid hinge member intermediate the opposed ends of said sections for connecting them to permit the fold ing of the sections transversely of the length of the hammock, said hinge member constructed to hold said sections spaced apart when folded for the reception between such folded sections of other parts of the hammock, a bottom resiliently supported by said framework, upright foldable ends secured to said framework, a foldable back and rigid means for maintaining such back in an open position, said means being foldable transversely of its length.

3. A folding couch or bed hammock prising" a rigid framework consisting of a plurality of sections hinged adjacent to their meeting ends transversely of the length of the hammock, a bottom supported by said framework, upright fcldable ends secured to said framework, a foldable back secured to the structure and including a rigid bar for maintaining said back in its open position, said bar being foldable transversely of its length.

4. A folding couch or bed hammock comprising a rigid framework consisting of a plurality of sections hinged adjacent to their meeting ends transversely of the length of the hammock, a bottom supported by said framework, upright foldable ends secured to said framework, a foldable back detachably secured to the structure and including a rigid bar for maintaining said back in its open position, said bar being foldable transversely of its length.

5. A folding couch or bed hammock comprising a rigid framework consisting of two half sections having their inner ends spaced apart but having hinged connections, a bottom supported by said framework, and upright foldable ends secured to said framework, said ends having a back connected thereto.

6. A folding couch or bed hammock comprising a rigid framework consisting of two half sections having their inner ends spaced apart but having hinged connections, a bottom supported by said framework, helical springs connecting said bottom with the framework, and upright foldable ends secured to said framework, said ends having a back connected thereto.

7 A folding couch or bed hammock comprising a rigid framework consisting of a plurality of sections hinged adjacent to their meeting ends, each hinge comprising a depending member and two pair of toggle connections between said depending member and said framework, means for supporting the hammock at each end thereof, and a bottom supported by said framework.

8. A folding couch or bed hammock comprising a rigid framework consisting of a plurality of sections hinged adjacent to their meeting ends, each hinge comprising a depending member and two pair of toggle con nections between said depending member and said framework, means for supporting the hammock at each end thereof, a bottom sup ported by said framework, and a drop formed bar connecting said hinges.

9. A folding couch or bed hammock comprising a rigid framework consisting of two half sections hinged adjacent to their inner ends, each hinge comprising a depending member and two pair of toggle connections between said depending member and said framework, means for supporting the hammock at each end thereof, a bottom, and helical springs connecting said bottom with said framework.

10. A folding couch or bed hammock comprising a rigid framework consisting of two half sections hinged adjacent to their inner ends, each hinge comprising a depending member and two pair of. toggle connections between said depending member and said framework, means for supporting the hammock at each end thereof, and a canvas bottom supported by said framework.

11. A folding couch or bed hammock comprising a: rigid framework consisting of two half sections hinged adjacent to their inner ends, each hinge comprising a depending member and two pair of toggle connections between said depending member and said framework, means for supporting the hammock at each end thereof, a canvas bottom, helical springs connecting said bottom with said framework, and adrop formed bar connecting said hinges.

12, A folding couch or bed hammock comprising a rigid framework consisting of a plurality of sections hinged adjacent to their meeting ends, each hinge comprising a depending member and two pair of toggle connections between said depending member and said framework, means for supporting the hammock at each end thereof, a canvas bottom, helical springs connecting said bottom with said framework along the sides and ends thereof, and a drop formed bar connecting said hinges.

13. A folding couch or bed hammock comprising a rigid framework consisting of a plurality of sections hinged adjacent to their meeting ends, each hinge comprising a depending member and two pair of toggle connections between said depending member and said framework, means for supporting the hammock at each end thereof, a bottom, helical springs connecting said bottom with said framework, and a folding back detachably secured to said bottom.

14:- A folding couch or bed hammock comrisin a ri id framework consistin of two half sections hinged adjacent to their inner ends, each hinge comprising a depending member and two pa1r of toggle connections between said depending member and said framework, means for supporting the hammock at each end thereof, a bottom, helical springs connecting said bottom with said framework along the sides and ends thereof, and a folding back detachably secured to said bottom.

15. A folding couch or bed hammock comprising a rigid framework consisting of two half sections hinged adjacent to their inner ends, each hinge comprising a member for spacing the sections apart when they are folded, a depending member and two pair of toggle connections between said depending member and said framework, means for supporting the hammock at each end thereof, and a bottom supported by said framework.

16. A folding couch or bed hammock comprising a rigid framework consisting of two half sections hinged adjacent to their inner ends, each hinge comprising a depending &

member and two pair of toggle connections between said depending member and said framework, means for suppor ing the hammock at each end thereof, a canvas bottom, helical springs connecting said bottom with said framework, a drop formed bar connecting said hinges, and a folding back detachably secured to said bottom.

17. A folding couch or bed hammock comprising a rigid framework consisting of a plurality of sections hinged adjacent to their meeting ends, each hinge comprising a depending member and two pair of toggle connections between said depending member and said framework, means for support ing the hammock at each end thereof and comprising a pair of upright ends detachably secured to said framework and having hinged thereto a foldable bar, a back secured to said bar and to said ends, and a bottom supported by said framework 18. A folding couch or bed hammock comprising a rigid framework consisting of two half sections hinged adjacent to their inner ends, each hinge comprising a depending member and two pair of toggle connections between said depending member and said framework, means for supporting the hammock at each end thereof.

and comprising a pair of upright ends detachably secured to said framework and having hinged thereto a foldable bar, a back secured to said bar and to said ends, a bot-- tom supported by said framework, helical springs connecting said bottom with said framework, and a drop formed bar connecting said hinges.

19. A folding couch or bed hammock comprising a rigid framework consisting of a plurality of sections hinged adjacent to their meeting ends, each hinge comprising a pair of plates between which the inner ends of the framework are pivoted, a depending member secured to each pair of plates, two pair of toggle connections between said depending member and said framework, a reinforcing member connecting said hinges, and a bottom secured to said framework.

20. A folding couch or bed hammock comprising a rigid framework consisting of two half sections hinged adjacent to their inner ends, each hinge comprising a pair of plates between which the inner ends of the framework are pivoted, depending member secured to each pair of plates, two pair of toggle connections between said depending member and said framework, a reinforcing member connecting said hinges, and a bottom secured to said framework by helical springs at the ends and sides of said bottom.

21. A folding couch or bed hammock comprising a rigid framework consisting of a plurality of sections hinged adjacent to their meeting ends, each hinge comprising a pair of plates between which the inner ends of the framework are pivoted, a depending member secured to each pair of plates, two pair of toggle connections between said de pending member and said framework, it reinforcing member connecting said hinges, a bottom secured to said framework by helical springs at the ends and sides of said bottom, a folding back comprising a hinged bar, a pair of transverse bars hinged to said first bar, a back and sides connected with said bars, means connected with said transverse bars for suspending the hammock, and means located along the lower edges of aid back and sides for detachably securing such back and sides to the frame work.

22. A folding couch or bed hammock comprising a rigid framework consisting of two half sections hinged adjacent to their inner ends, each hinge comprising a pair of plates between which the inner ends of the framework are pivoted, a depending member secured to each pair of plates, two pair of toggle connections between said depending member and said framework, a reinforcing member connecting said hinges, a bottom secured to said framework, a folding back comprising a bar hinged midway of its length, a pair of transverse bars hinged to said first bar, a flexible back and sides connected with said bars, means connected with said transverse bars for suspending the hammock, and hooks located along the lower edges of said back and sides for detachably securing such back and sides to the framework.

23. A folding couch or bed hammock com prising a rigid framework consisting of two half sections hinged adjacent to their inner ends, each hinge comprising a pair of plates between which the inner ends of the framework are pivoted, a depending member secured to each pair of plates, two pair of toggle connections between said depending member and said framework, a reinforcing member connecting said hinges, a bottom secured to said framework by helical springs at the ends and sides of said bottom, a folding back comprising a bar hinged midway of its length, a pair of transverse bars hinged to said first bar, a flexible back and sides connected with said bars, means connected with said transverse bars for suspending the hammock, a series of hooks located along the lower edge of said back and sides for detachably securing such back and sides to the framework, and metallic members to which said hooks are connected.

2%. A folding couch or bed hammock comnrising a folding back consisting of a hinged bar, a pair of transverse bars hinged to said first bar, a flexible material connected with said bars, means connected with said transverse bars for suspending the same, means located along the lower edge of said flexible material for detachably securing it to a hammock bottom, and a folding bottom adapted to be engaged by said means.

25. A folding couch or bed hammock comprising a folding back consisting of a bar hinged midway of its length, a pair of transverse bars hinged to said first bar, a flexible material connected with said bars, means connected with said transverse bars for suspending the same, a series of hooks located along the lower edge of said flexible material for detachably securing it to a hammock bottom, and a folding bottom adapted to be engaged by said hooks.

26. A folding couch or bed hammock com prising a folding back consisting of a bar hinged midway of its length, a pair of transverse bars hinged to said first bar, a flexible material connected with said bars, means connected with said transverse bars for suspending the same, a series of hooks located along the lower edge of said flexible material for detachably securing it to a hammock bottom, reinforcing metallic members to which said hooks are connected, and a folding bottom adapted to be engaged by said hooks.

27. A folding couch or bed hammock comprising a folding back consisting of a hinged bar, a pair of transverse bars hinged to said first bar, a flexible material connected with said bars, means connected with said transverse bars for suspending the same, means located along the lower edge of said flexible material for detachably securing it to a hammock bottom, and a folding bottom adapted to be engaged by said means, said bottom comprising a rigid framework consisting of a plurality of sections hinged adjacent to their meeting ends, means for supporting said framework against collapse at the meeting ends, and a flexible bottom secured to said framework.

28. A folding couch or bed hammock comprising a folding back consisting of a bar hinged midway of its length. a pair of transverse bars hinged to said first bar, a flexible material connected with said bars, means connected with said transverse bars for suspending the same, means located along the lower edge of said flexible material for detachably securing it to a hammock bottom, a folding bottom adapted to be engaged bv said means, said bottom comprising a rigid framework consisting of two half sections hinged adjacent to their inner ends, means for supporting said framework against collapse at their inner ends, and a bottom secured to said framework.

29. A folding couch or bed hammock comprising a rigid framework consisting of two half sections hinged adjacent. to their inner ends, a bottom supported bv said framework, helical springs connecting said bottom with the framework along the ends and sides of the framework, upright foldable ends detachably secured to said framework, means connected thereto for suspending the hammock, a foldable back secured to said ends and detachably secured to said framework, and including a lengthwise extending bar for maintaining said back in open position and foldable transversely of its length.

30. A folding couch or bed hammock comprising a rigid framework consisting of a plurality of sections, a rigid hinge member intermediate the opposed ends of said sections for connecting them to permit the folding of the sections transversely of the length of the hammock, said hinge member constructed to hold said sections spaced apart when folded for the reception between such folded sections of other parts of the hammock, means carried by said hinge member and connected to both of said foldable sections for holding said sections in their horizontal suspended position when under weight. and a bottom supported by said framework.

31. A folding couch or bed hammock com prisin a rigid framework consisting of a plurality of sections. a ri id hin e member intermediate the opposed ends of said sections for connecting them to permit the folding of the sections transversely of the len th of the hammock, said hinge member constructed to hold said sections s aced apart when folded for the reception between such folded sections of other parts of th hammock. toggle means carried by said hi e member and connected to both of said foldable sections for hold n said secti ns in their h rizontal. sus ended position when under weight. and a bottom supported by said framework.

32. A folding couch or bed hammock comprising a rigid framework co sisting of a plurality of foldahle sections hinged adiacent to their meeting ends transverselv of the length of the hamm ck, toggle means co nected adjacent to said meeting ends for holding the sections in their horizontal suspended position, a bottom connected with said framework. and means secured to the ends of said framework for suspending the same.

33. A fold ng c uch or bed hammock co nrising a rigid Framework consisting of a lurality of foldable secti ns. means for binning them adiacent to their inner ends transversely of the len th of the hammock, foldable means depending from said hinging means and connected with said sections and effective to hold the sections in their horizontal suspended positions, a bottom connected with said framew rk, and means for suspending said hammock.

34. A foldin couch or bed hammock comnrisin a rig d framework consis ing of two foldable half-sections having their inner ends spaced apart but having hinged con- New York and State of New York, this nections, said hinged connections including 27th day of October, 1913.

means connected With said sections and sus pended therebetween, a flexible bottom sup- AUGUST KREUZKAMP' 5 ported by said framework, and means for \Vitnesses:

suspending the ends of said hammock. F. E. BOYCE,

Signed at New York, in the county of WALTER L. BAKELAR.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents. Washington, D. 0. 

